Metalworks Incorporated HH-04 “Redball” Heavy Hover Hauler:

Before even considering the design of combat vehicles based on hovercraft
chassis, Metalworks developed a number of non-combat hovercraft designs.
One of these is the Silhouette Hover Sport but hover vehicles designed
for larger cargo loads. The largest of these is the “Redball” and the vehicle
is designed with the ability to carry payloads up to ten metric tons of
cargo in its cargo bed.

In many places on Rifts Earth, the roads simply do not exist for good
wheeled vehicle operations and in other places there are no bridges across
bodies of water. All wheel six and eight wheel drive vehicles are one option.
Another option is the hovercraft. Such vehicles already operated in limited
numbers before the coming of the Rifts. After the coming of the Rifts,
the numbers exploded. Another advantage of most hovercraft designs is that
they are fast, limiting the ability of bandits to capture them.

The Redball has been a great seller both to mercenary units and non-military
purchasers. Generally, the Coalition does not see these vehicles as a threat
even if lightly armed. There are also several designs similar manufactured
by other companies including a few pre-rifts designs which makes it hard
to distinguish one design from another.

Because purchasers of hovercraft tend to mostly rely on such designs,
this vehicle does not generally compete directly with Iron Armory's various
truck models. Also, hover designs do tend to be considerably more expensive
than wheeled vehicles. Still, in their niche, hover vehicles are extremely
popular. Some companies who specialize in shipping even charge extra with
hover transports and many clients gladly pay the additional fees.

The Redball is available in four basic different power plants. One is
powered by a gas turbine engine which will run most fuel types although
most efficient on diesel and kerosene. The second is a strictly electrically
powered model which has an extremely high capacity storage battery. The
third is powered by a fusion reactor. This design has the advantage of
virtually unlimited range but is much more expensive. Fusion reactor has
a normal time between refitting is five years.

The fourth, which is comparatively new in production is a fuel cell
model. Since the coming of the Rifts, the technology was virtually lost.
Because it uses hydrogen cracked from water usually using a fusion reactor,
fuel is cheap and plentiful. The electrons pass through the “load” (engines,
weapons, avionics, etc.) creating current and powering the systems. Meanwhile,
the 2H+ molecules pass from the anode to the cathode through
the electrolyte. At the other “End,” the electrons then recombine with
the 2H+ molecules and Oxygen (from the air) and are release
as water from the rear of the vehicle.

Top speed of the hover hauler is around two hundred kilometers per hour
and the vehicle has a maximum altitude of around ten feet. This allows
the vehicle to clear most terrain. It is not as fast as many combat hovercraft
designs, it is faster than most wheeled designs. Extremely wide for greater
stability, the design can also operate over water without problem except
for extremely high seas. The design is not really meant for open ocean
travel and can easily capsize.

The vehicle is available with a four or six person cab and the cab has
full air conditioning for crew comfort although standard model lack full
life support. It is available as an upgrade as purchaser's request. A skilled
autopilot program allows the driver to easily operate the vehicle for extended
periods. There is the option for the vehicle to be fitted with additional
sensors and communications equal to those carried on most power armors.
This is a must if the crew is expecting any serious danger.

There are several available options for the cargo bay module for the
Redball. Cargo carrying ability is less than a wheeled vehicle of similar
size but still considerable. The vehicle can have an open bed, an enclosed
cargo area, or a tank. The tanker variant can carry fuels, water, and other
liquids as required. It has a maximum capacity of eight thousand liters
(2113.4 gallon.) In many places there are no cargo facilities and there
is an available crane option on the vehicle. The crane has the ability
to lift cargo loads of up to 1,250 kilograms (2755.8 lbs) at full boom
extension of 20 feet (6.1 meters.) At a 10 foot (3.1 meter) extension,
can lift 2,500 kilograms (5511.6 lbs). Some owners have converted their
vehicles for various purposes including mobile workshops by operators.
Some purchasers also have been converted by adventurers for travel vehicles
with kitchen and sleeping quarters for up to eight.

Even though not a combat vehicle, the hover hauler is still lightly
armored. The world after the coming of the Rifts can be a highly hazardous
environment and even high speed is not always the answer. The vehicle can
also be given additional armor at the purchaser's request. No weapons are
standard but the vehicle is available with a number of optional systems.
A single weapon mount can be mounted above the chassis. A pulse laser which
is a modified version of the JA-12 Rifle is most common although the Northern
Gun NG-202 Rail Gun and the Wellington WI-GL21 Automatic Grenade Launcher
are also popular choices. Eventually Metalworks plans to replace the rail
gun with their own model of rail gun. In addition to a top weapon mount,
the vehicle can mount a pair of mini-missile launchers.

Metalworks does not make a combat version of the hover vehicle although
some owners refit the vehicle with additional weaponry. These are nicknamed
"Battle Wagons" by many. Metalworks does produce a combat support version
of the hovercraft armed with long range missiles. A six missile type launcher,
the missile launcher is identical to the launcher carried on the Husky
produced by Iron Armory. These missiles have potentially over a thousand
mile range.

For military roles other than a support missile platform, there are
two additional support roles including one which is designed as a command
and control vehicle. This has additional communication facilities and space
for a crew of eight in addition to the normal crew. There is also an electronics
warfare version which mounts the same communication facilities as the command
and control version but adds a long range radar system as well.

Model Type:

M.I. HH-04A

Open Bed Cargo Design

M.I. HH-04B

Enclosed Bed Cargo Design

M.I. HH-04C

Tanker (8000 liter) Model

M.I. HLRM-04

Long Range Missile Platform

Vehicle Type: Heavy Hover Transport
Crew: Two (Can carry four passengers in the crew compartment)
- Can be operated by one.

M.D.C. By Location:

[1] Headlights (4):

10 each

[1] JA-12 Pulse Laser Rifle Mount (Optional):

40

[1] NG-202 Rail Gun Mount (Optional):

75

[1] MI-RG-40-X Rail Gun Mount (Optional):

75

[1] WI-GL21 Automatic Grenade Launcher (Optional):

70

[1] Mini-Missile Launchers (2, Optional):

30 each

Long Range Missile Launchers (Missile / Rocket Version):

150

[2] Hover Thruster Units:

125

Crew Compartment

125

Cargo Compartment / Bed / Tank:

125

[3] Main Body:

225 (325)

Notes:[1] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the
attacker to make “Called Shot;” but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
[2] Destruction of the hover unit will cause the vehicle to be no longer
under the pilots control.
[3] Destruction of the main body will cause the vehicle to crash. All
systems, including emergency parachute, will not function. Standard armor
is 225 M.D.C. but can be upgraded in increments of 20 M.D.C. up to an addition
100 M.D.C.

Speed:Hover Speed: Can hover at ground level at from a hover to up
to 124.3 mph (200 kph) over both land and water. Minimum hover height is
2 feet (0.6 meters) and maximum altitude is 10 feet (3.05 meters).
Maximum Range: With gas or electric, 600 miles (965.6 km), with
fuel cells, 800 (1287.5 km), and with fusion, effectively unlimited.

Weapons Systems: The vehicle can mount the following above the
rear section of the crew compartment. Direct fire weapons are controlled
by a gunner who sits behind the weapon mount. Missiles are controlled by
a remote control system.

Top Mounted Weapon Position (1): Mounted above the cab of
the vehicle, a single weapon can be mounted for defense of the vehicle.
Most common weapon mounts are rail guns, pulse laser mounts, or automatic
grenade launchers.

Pulse Laser Cannon: The mounts's laser cannons use the barrels
and inner working of the JA-12 Assault Rifle. The laser cannons pull power
directly from the fusion reactor of the vehicle on fusion powered models.
On electric and conventionally powered models, there is a high capacity
battery. On fuel cell models, the weapon has its own fuel cell.
Weight: 13 lbs (5.85 kg)
Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters).
Mega Damage: 4D6 for single shot and 1D6x10+10 for three round
burst from cannon.
Rate of Fire:Equal to the gunner's combined hand to hand (usually
5 or 6).
Payload: Nuclear Reactor: Effectively Unlimited (Draws
Power off the main engines). Electric or Conventional Fuel: Battery
is good for 1200 shots (400 three shot bursts.) Fuel Cell Version:
600 shots (200 three shot bursts.) It takes approximately two minutes for
a trained crew to change the hydrogen tank that powers the weapon, assuming
that a spare tank is available. Untrained crews will take about six minutes
to accomplish this task.

MI-RG-40-X Rail Gun: Rail Gun is a modified version of the
Coalition C-40R Rail Gun. While the weapon is widely duplicated, Metalworks
has managed to improve the rail gun with the ability to fire either 40
round or 60 round bursts. While the 60 round burst uses ammunition far
faster, it inflicts greater damage and is only slightly heavier. When not
hooked up to a power armor or vehicle , the rail gun need a special power
pack Previously, Metalworks Industries purchased NG-202 Rail Guns but plans
to replace Northern Gun rail guns with their own model although it is twice
the cost.
Weight: 104 lbs (47.2 kg), One Ammo-Drum: 190 lbs (85.5 kg).
Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters)
Maximum Effective Range:Normal Ammo; Can fire a burst
of 40 rounds which inflicts 1D4x10 M.D. or can fire a burst of 60 rounds
which inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. A single round inflicts 1D4 M.D. APFSDS Ammo;Can
fire a burst of 40 rounds which inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. or can fire a burst
of 60 rounds which inflicts 2D4x10 M.D. A single round inflicts 1D6 M.D.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the gunner's combined hand to hand (usually
5 or 6).
Payload: 2000 round drum, that's 50 bursts of 40 rounds or 33
bursts of 60 rounds.

Automatic Grenade Launcher: Weapon is WI-GL21 Automatic Grenade
Launcher mounted on a spindle mount. Extremely dangerous at close range
although not as effective against airborne targets as the pulse laser.
Weight: 130 lbs (58.5 kg) not including ammo belts. Ammo belt
weighs 40 lbs (18.15 kg)
Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 meters)
Mega-Damage: 4D6 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 12 feet
(3.7 meters) and 1D4x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 3 feet
(0.9 meters), burst of 10 rounds does 2D6x10 for Fragmentation with a blast
area of 40 feet (12.2 meters) and 3D6x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast
area of 8 feet (2.4 meters).
Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
Payload: 400 Rounds.

Mini-Missile Launchers (2 - Optional): The missile launcher
systems are on either side of the cab / cockpit. Both launchers hold twelve
mini-missiles for twenty-four total.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies with mini missile types (See revised
bomb and missile tables for details.)
Mega-Damage: Varies with mini missile types (See revised
bomb and missile tables for details.)
Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or six (6) missiles. Can
be fired equal to the pilots combined hand to hand (usually 5 or 6).
Payload: 12 Mini-Missiles each launcher for a total of 24 mini-missiles.

Long Range Missile (1, Missile / Rocket Version): Missile
/ Rocket version has one launcher that can fire missiles that are mounted
on the sides of a rotating stand. The launcher can carry a total of six
long range missiles for a total of twelve long range missiles. While normally
guided missiles are used, the launchers will sometime launch unguided versions
to reduce the cost of ordinance used. The launchers can rotate 360 degrees.
Maximum Effective Range: As per long range missile type (See revised
bomb and missile tables for details.)
Mega Damage: Varies with long range missile type (See revised
bomb and missile tables for details.)
Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or six (6) missiles.
Payload: Six (6) Long Range Missiles.

Sensory Equipment:

Radio/ Video Communications (Command & Control / Electronic Warfare
Van): Long range, directional, has a range of 800 miles (1,290 km)
with short range directional radio of 50 miles (80 km). Vehicle also has
the ability to monitor up multiple frequencies and record up to 96 hours
of data.